In a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday, the Canadian born model put Evening Standard Magazine on blast after the publication referred to her as a ‘Canadian vitiligo sufferer’ in an article.
“I’m not a ‘vitiligo Sufferer’. I’m not a ‘vitiligo model’. I am Winnie. I am a model. And I happen to have vitiligo. Stop putting these titles on me or anyone else,” she wrote.
Harlow also warned other tabloids that she was sick of her condition being portrayed as a setback or a disability.
“I’m sick of every headline ending in ‘vitiligo sufferer’ or “Suffers from vitiligo”. Do you see me suffering? The only thing I’m suffering from are your headlines and the closed minds of humans who have one beauty standard locked into their minds when there are multiple standards of beauty! The beach was damn fine that day, nothing to suffer about,” she snapped.
The fashion model gained prominence after appearing on the 21st season of America’s Next Top Model. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was four years old, which according to the Mayo Clinic, is a disease that causes the loss of skin colour in patches.
According to Black Doctor.org , it is not the first time that the fashion model has had to deal with people misunderstanding her condition. The publication reported that she was bullied at school for how she looked when she was younger.
“The bullying was so bad that I was forced to drop out and be home schooled,” she reportedly said.
“I’ve learned to love who I am despite what anyone would say about or to me. This gave me the courage to really stand up to anyone or any obstacle in my life.”
